Fempower Health | A Women's Health Podcast

In this episode, Fempower Health introduces the new women’s health book, Taking Care of You: The Empowered Woman’s Guide to Better Health. Here, we interview co-authors Mary O’Connor and Kanwal L. Haq about the book. They also discuss important women’s health topics and research today.Taking Care of You is a book for everyday women. It’s a simplified, comprehensive health guide written by women, for women. It explores health conditions that affect women differently than men, and offers practical resources for women of all ages, races, and walks of life.More than 100 female physicians, women’s health experts, and specialists across the country collaborated on this publication so that women everywhere can become more empowered in their own health.Taking Care of You comes out on October 4, 2022. You can buy a copy at most major retail stores.Discussed in this episode:How women can leverage the book, Taking Care of YouThe current state of women’s healthcare and how it got this wayWhy have women been excluded from clinical research until recently?Advocating for shared decision-making in women’s medicineThe fragmentation of the healthcare system and what to do about itPractical things women in under-served populations can do for their healthComing up with solutions in women’s health communitiesGoogle-searching symptoms, health anxiety, and preparing for doctors’ visitsAcknowledging self diagnosis and patient fearsImproving provider-to-patient communication “This book includes what we’ve seen and experienced firsthand. When you get angry enough, you want to change things. This book is our way of putting something forward to help empower women and change the trajectory of women’s health.” - Kanwal L. Haq, M.S.Related to this episode:Learn about other Breaking Taboos topicsListen to Episode: Women’s Health After Roe v Wade Overturn Watch: Mary O’Connor TEDx Talk: Promoting Health - Your Secret SuperpowerReview More Resources from Taking Care of YouCheck out Movement is Life CaucusFollow on Instagram: @womenshealthbook or Facebook: @womenshealthbook or Linked In: Taking Care of You🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** **The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer today. With the much-needed innovation in ovarian cancer research, it’s crucial women understand the complexity and potential for change in this disease.For Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with Oriana Papin-Zoghbi, the CEO and Co-founder of AOA Dx. AOA Dx is a biotech company focused on early-stage ovarian cancer detection, actively spreading awareness and working toward solutions for women’s health issues.In this episode, we discuss current insights into ovarian cancer research and prognosis. Oriana shares some ovarian cancer stories and what AOA Dx is doing to help women catch the disease early. We cover the average ovarian cancer survival rate, some symptoms of ovarian cancer, and ways to advocate for better testing in women’s health.Discussed in this episode:Ovarian cancer statistics What can women do to catch early signs of ovarian cancer?Difficulties doctors and women face in ovarian cancer diagnosis Current diagnostic testing processes The founding story of AOA DxWhy has it been so hard to get a diagnosis for ovarian cancer?Where AOA Dx is headed nextWays to medically advocate for yourself if you feel something’s wrong“The biggest thing I would say to women is: listen to your body. If you know that something is off, advocate for yourself. More medical testing is better— because the consequence of missing this cancer at early stages is far greater than paying for more tests.” - Oriana Papin-ZoghbiRelated to this episode:Resources and episodes on Female Cancer Check out AOA Dx WebsiteBe sure to Follow AOA Dx on LinkedInBe sure to Follow AOA Dx on Instagram🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** **The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Dr. Fiona McCulloch is a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, Canada who specializes in PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). She is the founder of White Lotus Integrative Medicine and author of the women’s health bestseller, 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS.In this episode, PCOS expert and advocate, Dr. Fiona McCulloch, shares her experience and medical hope for women with PCOS. Dr. McCulloch answers PCOS questions from the Fempower Health audience, and dispels some of the common misinformation that exists on social media. As an eagerly awaited episode, we hope you all enjoy! It’s full of useful information for women with PCOS and their loved ones.Discussed in this episode:Different PCOS symptoms in different womenUnderstanding the medical PCOS diagnosis criteria Normal irregular periods in teens vs early signs of PCOSOverview of the epigenetics of PCOSPCOS prevention: facts and researchPCOS and perimenopause How thyroid and gut microbiome affect women with PCOSNutrition myths and facts: is there a “best” diet for PCOS? Several types of treatment for PCOS and common side effects Dealing with associated mood disorders, stress, and emotional challenges Is there a PCOS cure?How to manage PCOS symptoms “Although it cannot be cured, PCOS symptoms can be managed. A lot of women pull through and find ways to experience little to no symptoms, as long as they find a treatment that works for them.” - Dr. Fiona McCullochRelated to this episode:Resources and episodes on PCOS Dr Fiona McCulloch's book: 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS by Dr. Fiona McColloch (book)Check out Dr. Fiona McCulloch’s WebsiteFollow Dr. Fiona McColloch on InstagramLearn about the PCOS Awareness Association🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** More About Dr. Fiona McCullochDr. Fiona McCulloch is a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, Canada who specializes in PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). She is the founder of White Lotus Integrative Medicine and author of the women’s health bestseller, 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS.She serves as a medical advisor for the PCOS Awareness Association as well as Open Source Health, a FemTech platform. Her lectures are enjoyed regularly by doctors, clinicians, and medical students at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.Dr. Fiona McColloch has many writings published in the Naturopathic Doctor News and Review (NDNR). As a woman with PCOS herself, she’s passionate about PCOS and women’s health advocacy. **The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Dr. Michal Elovitz, Chief Medical Advisor of Mirvie, is a physician-scientist with a demonstrated history of research success from the bench to the bedside. She is a successful mentor promoting physician-scientists in women's health research, and both founded and directed the Womxn's Health Collaborative. She has strong professional skills in Perinatal Medicine, Molecular Biology, Reproductive Immunology Microbiome, Pregnancy, Healthcare, Biomarkers, Discovery Research, Clinical Research, and Translational Research.In this episode, Dr. Elovitz speaks with Fempower Health on an innovation Mirvie is currently focused on: preventing pregnancy complications, in particular, preeclampsia (dangerous blood pressure elevation during pregnancy).Despite the U.S. having the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries, health risks in pregnancy have remained understudied, underfunded, and underserved. Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes impact 1 in 5 women. But with no accurate way to predict these conditions before symptoms appear, both moms and babies enter crisis mode when diagnosed in their third trimester.Dr. Elovitz explains one of those complications, preeclampsia, and explores how better screening can help.Discussed in this episode:What is preeclampsia?Preeclampsia risk factors and long-term effectsBlood tests that predict potential complications during pregnancy How the Mirvie RNA platform works to detect early complications What is the benefit of having a Mirvie test over regular blood pressure tests in pregnancy? The future of science with innovative testing for pregnant womenMaking information and data more accessible to advocate for pregnancy health“There have to be silos broken down. If we want to advance women’s health, we need to be partnering. We need to work together if we actually care about changing women’s health.”  - Dr. Michal ElovitzRelated to this episode:Episode With Dr. Joanne Stone: Preventing the Preventable During PregnancyFollow Mirvie on LinkedIn and Twitter Follow Dr. Elovitz on Twitter @docelovitz Read about Genetic Testing During PregnancyListen to more episodes about Pregnancy 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** About Dr. Michal E. ElovitzMichal A. Elovitz, MD is a tenured physician-scientist and the Hilarie L. Morgan and Mitchell L. Morgan President’s Distinguished Professor in Women’s Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Elovitz brings the clinical and research world together to advance reproductive, pregnancy, and women’s health. She has been actively involved in fundamental and translational research for over 20 years. Her research is or has been funded by the March of Dimes, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, National Institute of Child Health and Development, National Institute for Nursing Research, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases. **The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Dr Mike Armour is heavily involved in research and treatment of endometriosis, and he was the invited complementary medicine expert on the endometriosis expert working group (EEWG) for the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Recently, he and his colleagues, Cecilia Ng and Mathew Leonardi, published an article You No Longer Need Surgery to be Diagnosed with Endometriosis: Here’s What’s Changed which created quite a stir on social media.Our “meet and greet” call was powerful and luckily recorded, so we decided to publish it as an episode!We discuss the following about endometriosis:Concerns about the disconnect between surgeons, patients and researchers.  How social media impacts our ability to discern fact from fictionWhether endometriosis is a progressive diseaseThe holy grail for endometriosis diagnosis and why it shouldn’t be laparoscopic surgery Whether laparoscopic surgery at an early age makes a difference is symptoms and recurrence as we ageHow one should prepare for doctor appointments and why this is key to optimal diagnosis and treatment“We don’t know most things about endometriosis. We don’t even have evidence that it is a progressive disease.” - Dr. Mike ArmourResources:Check out Lessons from Implementing the Australian National Action Plan for EndometriosisResources and episodes on Endometriosis Resources and episodes on Pelvic Health Resources and episodes on Women's Health-Related Pain 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** About Dr. Mike ArmourDr Mike Armour completed his honours degree in biomedicine at the University of Auckland before going on to study traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and then completed his PhD in dysmenorrhea (period pain) in 2016 at Western Sydney University. Mike is a senior research fellow in reproductive health at NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University where he is currently running several clinical trials on endometriosis and menstrual health. Mike has published over 67 peer reviewed articles on various aspects of women’s health including menstrual health literacy, diagnostics, period pain, endometriosis and medicinal cannabis. Mike is also an author on several textbook chapters including a forthcoming chapter on the use of medicinal cannabis to treat endometriosis. Mike is heavily involved in research and treatment of endometriosis, and he was the invited complementary medicine expert on the endometriosis expert working group (EEWG) for the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Mike is also a World Endometriosis Society Ambassador, Chair of Endometriosis Australia’s clinical advisory committee, Chair of Endometriosis Australia’s research committee, Academic lead of the Menstrual Cycle Research Network (MCRN) at Western Sydney University and Chair of the Australasian Interdisciplinary Researchers in Endometriosis (AIRE).**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

According to Go Red for Women, cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined and yet only 44% of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat. That is why we are discussing heart health.Dr. Nanette Wenger has been at the forefront of advancing patient care for the last 60-plus years. She was among the first physicians to focus on coronary heart disease in women, and to evaluate the different risk factors, symptoms and conditions for women compared to men. She speaks about the following:What are the risks for and symptoms of heart problems in women?How do heart attacks manifest differently from men vs. women?How does a woman know if she has heart problems?How can a woman keep a healthy heart?What is the current state of healthcare professional awareness of how heart attacks manifest in men vs. women?How to advocate for yourself, especially if you feel as though you aren’t being heard?“It is important to realize this is not a disease of old ladies. This is a disease of young women. It is a disease that can be ameliorated and prevented.” - Dr Nanette WengerResources:American Heart Association’s Presidential AdvisoryRead the Chest Pain GuidelinesCheck out American Heart Association and Go Red for WomenResources and episodes on Breaking Taboos Resources and episodes on Pregnancy & Motherhood Resources and episodes on Perimenopause & Menopause and sign up for the Perimenopause and Menopause newsletter  🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** More about Dr. Nanette Wenger Dr. Nanette Wenger was a co-author of the American Heart Association’s 2007 Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women, and she continues to promote and conduct gender-specific cardiology research. Her work includes the connection between pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease and the possibility that certain breast cancer treatments are linked to heart failure.Dr. Wenger earned a Bachelor of Arts from Hunter College, summa cum laude. She was one of the first women to earn her doctorate in medicine at Harvard Medical School, and in 1956, she was the first woman to be named chief resident in cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Together with colleagues at Grady, she led the development of a 21-day cardiac rehabilitation program for patients after myocardial infarction (heart attack), which became a model for programs across the country.Dr. Wenger is actively practicing at Emory University School of Medicine and is a professor emeritus and serves as the director of the Cardiac Clinics and the ECG Laboratory at Grady Memorial Hospital.Dr. Wenger has received numerous awards for her notable achievements throughout her career. Just last month, she was featured in The Hill newspaper’s special tribute, “The Century of the Woman: 100 Women Who Have Helped Shape America.” She also chaired the World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Rehabilitation after Cardiovascular Disease and co-chaired the Guideline Panel on Cardiac Rehabilitation for the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Dr. Wenger has had a longstanding interest in geriatric cardiology, is a past president of the Society of Geriatric Cardiology and was editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology for more than 15 years.**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Dr. Alyssa Dweck, a practicing gynecologist and the Chief Medical Officer of Bonafide, speaks with Fempower Health on the following about common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause:What are the stages of perimenopause and menopause?How to know if you are in perimenopause or have another underlying condition?Which are the common symptoms of perimenopause?What are the treatments for common symptoms?Is it normal to bleed when you are in menopause?How to find a menopause expert?“Not all OB GYNs want to or are trained to or at the stages of their careers where they are seeing so many menopausal patients. My field has split into obstetrics and gynecology and surgery and sexual health and menopause experts are almost sub-specialists.” - Dr Alyssa DweckResources:Resources and episodes on Perimenopause & Menopause and sign up for the Perimenopause and Menopause newsletter How to Find the right doctor 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** More about Dr. Alyssa DweckDr. Alyssa Dweck is a practicing gynecologist and the Chief Medical Officer of Bonafide. She is an Ob/Gyn for over 25 years with a special interest in menopausal health and training in female sexual health. Dr. Dweck is the co-author of three books - including The Complete A to Z for V - and has appeared on The Today Show and Good Day LA. She contributes regularly to multiple prints and online media outlets. She has been voted “Top Doctor” in New York Magazine and Westchester Magazine.When she’s not helping women improve their health, Dr. Dweck enjoys time with her husband, two sons, and “girly” English Bulldog. She is an avid runner and sports car enthusiast.**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Pelvic floor muscles play an important role in our bodies, and we may not realize how important until we have incontinence, pain, and/or prolapse. A common concern is the root cause of a dysfunction might not be properly addressed causing issues down the line such as the need for surgery or repeat surgery.Kim Vopni, author of Your Pelvic Floor, is a self professed pelvic health evangelist and is known as The Vagina Coach.She is a certified fitness professional who wants to end the suffering associated with pelvic floor dysfunction.Kim speaks with Fempower Health on the following about pelvic floor health and surgery:Which are the 3 types of pelvic floor dysfunctions?What are the signs of a weak pelvic floor and how do you fix pelvic floor dysfunction?What are pelvic floor dysfunction treatment options and which pelvic floor dysfunctions might require surgery?How do you optimize pelvic floor surgery recovery time and outcomes?How successful is pelvic prolapse surgery, and what can you do post surgery to optimize results?How do you find the right pelvic floor surgeon?Which questions should you ask the pelvic floor surgeon?What if you can’t afford a pelvic floor specialist or surgeon?“I do see a lot of people after the fact who say “I had surgery for this and then I still have this problem or the problem came back” or “I have another problem and then I had another surgery.” People will chase the problem with surgery or pharmaceuticals and aren’t getting to a root cause.” - Kim VopniResources:Resources and episodes on Pelvic Health Resources and episodes on Pregnancy & Motherhood Resources and episodes on Perimenopause & Menopause and sign up for the Perimenopause and Menopause newsletter Follow Kim Vopni on InstagramBuff Muff AppFree Pelvic Surgery WebinarKim’s Book Your Pelvic FloorStudy on lower back pain and association with pelvic floor issuesWatch the Below the Belt film 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024**  More about Kim VopniKim Vopni is a self professed pelvic health evangelist and is known as The Vagina Coach. She is a certified fitness professional who wants to end the suffering associated with pelvic floor dysfunction.She is a published author, a passionate speaker and women’s health educator. Kim is the founder of Pelvienne Wellness Inc - a company offering pelvic health programs products and coaching for women in pregnancy, motherhood and menopause. She also co-founded, grew, and sold a company called Bellies Inc where she created the Ab System – a revolutionary birth prep and recovery system for pregnant women. Her annual event Kegels & Cocktails™ has helped hundreds gain knowledge about pelvic health and her Buff Muff app is ensuring everyone knows how to do kegels and actually does them!Kim also certifies other fitness and movement professionals to work with women with core and pelvic floor challenges through her Core Confidence Specialist Certification.You can find her on-line at www.vaginacoach.com and on social media @vaginacoach**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

According to the CDC, overall, the age-adjusted prevalence of osteoporosis among adults aged 50 and over increased from 9.4% in 2007–2008 to 12.6% in 2017–2018 (See this Figure). Osteoporosis prevalence among women increased from 14.0% in 2007–2008 to 19.6% in 2017–2018. And according to this episode’s guest, Dr. Jerilynn Prior, osteoporosis is not something only older women should concern themselves with. It begins in adolescence.Dr. Jerilynn Prior, of the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR), is a Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of British Columbia, with 40 years experience in women’s health.  We discuss the following about bone health.What are the foundations for good bone health?What causes poor bone health and why is bone health important?What are the best vitamins & supplements for bone health? Which forms and doses of them do you need?How are the types of foods you eat connected to bone health?What causes bones to decrease during adolescence and what can you do to strengthen bones in adolescence?Can you reverse bone loss? And is osteoporosis hereditary?Your questions about collagen and medications answered!“It is still not in the textbooks that progesterone increased bone formation. 20% the change in bone over one year was related to the length of the luteal phase. Dietary intake was only 3%.” - Dr. Jerilynn PriorResources:Follow CeMCOR on InstagramCeMCOR Newsletter SignupLearn about Progesterone as a Bone-trophic hormoneLearn about ABCs of Osteoporosis Prevention for Women in MidlifeLearn about Why do I have Osteoporosis? I’m Way too Young!Resources and episodes on Perimenopause & Menopause and sign up for the Perimenopause and Menopause newsletter Resources and episodes on Hormones & Menstrual Health 🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** More about Dr. Jerilynn PriorJerilynn C. Prior BA, MD, FRCPC investigates women’s menstrual cycles, population variability of ovulation and physiological associations of ovulatory disturbances within regular cycles with osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer and endometrial cancer risks. She also studies the hormonal and experience changes in perimenopause and treatment of perimenopausal and menopausal hot flushes with progesterone. She is the 2019 recipient of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Aubrey J. Tingle Prize awarded to a “BC clinician scientist whose work in health research is internationally recognized”. She is Scientific Director of the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR, since 2002) with its website (www.cemcor.ca) providing practical evidence-based information through a mean of 3,000 page-views/day. She has led the British Columbia Centre of the population-based Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos) since 1994. In addition to authoring over 200 peer-reviewed papers (H Index 65), Dr. Prior is the author of the award-winning book, Estrogen’s Storm Season: Stories of Perimenopause (2005, 2nd ed. 2018), a novel written to inform/empower women with perimenopause information.**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

The pelvic floor plays an important role supporting the bowel and bladder (as well as the uterus and vagina in females). Hormone changes due to pregnancy and peri/menopause and other factors can impact their function. Several at-home devices are now on the market to support the pelvic floor, but do they help you? And if so, which is right for you? Enter Dr. Allyson Shrikhande.Dr. Allyson Shrikhande, a board certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, is the Chief Medical Officer of Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine. She is also the Chair of the Medical Education Committee for the International Pelvic Pain Society. A leading expert on pelvic health and a respected researcher, author and lecturer, Dr. Shrikhande is a recognized authority on male and female pelvic pain diagnosis and treatment. We discuss the following:Do electronic pelvic floor devices work?What are the limitations of at-home pelvic floor devices?How to afford these devicesHow to know if your device is helping or hurtingHow Pelvic Rehabilitation Center is trying to increase access to careWhat does FDA approval for classified medical devices mean?We cover the following pelvic floor-related devices, tools, and exercises.ElviePerifitK-fitFlyteInnovoElitoneThigh master-like devicesJade eggsKegel weights Exercises like yoga, pilates, hypopressives“Listen to your body. If your symptoms are getting better, you are on the right path. Before using these devices, get an evaluation, if you can, by a pelvic floor specialist.” - Dr. Allyson ShrikhandeResources:Resources and episodes on Pelvic Health Follow Pelvic Rehabilitation on Facebook, Instagram and TwitterLearn about Dustienne Miller Yoga and Adriene’s YogaCheck out Yoga for Incontinence and Yoga for Postpartum🎧 Loved the episode? Here's how you can take action:1. Help others discover Fempower Health:Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.2. Stay connected:Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024** About Dr. Allyson ShrikhandeDr. Shrikhande, a board certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, is the Chief Medical Officer of Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine. She is also the Chair of the Medical Education Committee for the International Pelvic Pain Society. Dr. Shrikhande is passionate about this cause and dedicated to helping men and women with pelvic pain who often suffer without anyone willing to listen, understand or find the cause of their pain. That’s why she has traveled the world to work with expert gynecologists, urologists, physiatrists and interventional pain physicians. With an extensive background in mainstream clinical medicine, she also makes use of many alternatives, holistic and homeopathic approaches. She has published peer-reviewed articles on the treatment of muscle pain in academic journals and works closely with renowned pelvic pain gynecologists and urologists. Taking a team approach, she works with specialists in pelvic floor physical therapy, kinetics and movement, as well as acupuncturists, nutritionists, cognitive behavioral therapists and functional medicine physicians. Dr. Allyson Shrikhande currently teaches fall and spring remote courses at the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute.**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.****May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**